Members of the Connaught Opera

THE Queen never appeared on Desert Island Discs, but it is widely claimed she was a great lover of musicals.

Oklahoma!, the Rodgers & Hammer­stein production set in turn-of-the-century America, was widely rumoured to be her favourite.

So songs from this show are set to appear alongside other tracks in the Queen’s “top ten” at a special tribute concert next month.

It is being organised by the Connaught Opera and will be held at the Elizabeth House community centre near Blackstock Road on October 12.

“Oklahoma! came out in the 1940s when the Queen was courting Prince Philip. They had a private joke going: ‘we better watch our Ps and Qs or people will think we’re in love’,” said Connaught’s baritone singer Glenn Wilson, in reference to a song in the musical.

The Connaught Opera is a local music charity performing for older people in London. Its concert will kick off with some music from the Queen’s coronation in 1953, followed by songs from the comic opera Merrie England, along with Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend from the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. There will also be some “singalongs” to music from the Second World War, including White Cliffs of Dover and We’ll Meet Again.

Maria Arakie, Connaught Opera’s soprano, said: “It’s well-recognised that emotion is an important cathartic process, and the nation is mourning – there’s no question about it. You can’t help but be moved by a wonderful woman who has given so much of her life.”

The concert is for those over 50. To book, call Age UK Islington on 020 7281 6018.